If your caregiver detects abnormal heart rate patterns when listening to your baby, or your waters break and there is heavy
meconium staining of the amniotic fluid, it is advisable to get out of the bath. In most cases you would be advised to have the baby's heart rate continuously
monitored in the delivery suite. Some women will remain in the bath with light meconium staining of the fluid if the baby's heart rate is normal, but stand for the birth of the baby's head so that their nose and mouth can be suctioned by their caregiver (to prevent the baby from inhaling the meconium).
Occasionally
meconium stained amniotic fluid does not become apparent until the baby's head is born. This is because the baby has passed it during the pushing phase but it was prevented from being seen because the baby's head blocked off the birth canal. In this case it is unclear whether the baby has any meconium in their mouth or nose or not, but probably advisable to stand for the birth of the body and suction the baby anyway.
Mother has a temperature
If the mother has a fever then being in a warm bath will not help and could contribute to the baby becoming distressed. It is advisable to get out of the bath if this is the case.
Other pain relief
Some women will use the bath in combination with other forms of pain relief. This could include running a hand held shower over the woman's back, heat packs on the lower back or using portable nitrous oxide gas. The use of narcotics (for example an injection of Pethidine) may not be advisable, as the woman may be unaware of what is happening and slip under the water heavily sedated (although some women have used this drug and stayed in the bath, without incident). If you need or want an epidural, the bath is not an option.